Rousing welcome home

TEARS OF HAPPINESS: XO LCDR Justin Jones is greeted by his daughter as family and friends expressed their joy at being reunited after a lengthy deployment.

AT EASE: The ship’s company before being dismissed. Photos: ABPH Andrew Dakin

By Michael Brooke
Volume 49, No. 7, May 4, 2006

HMAS Parramatta (CMDR Jonathan Mead) and crew of 187 had “set a new benchmark” during the ship’s maiden Operation Catalyst deployment recently.

This was the assessment made by Maritime Commander Australia RADM Davyd Thomas as he joined Defence Minister Dr Brendan Nelson, Chief of Navy VADM Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN, and about 500 family and friends to welcome home Parramatta when she berthed at FBE on April 13.

Defence Minister Nelson said he visited Parramatta during a recent trip to the Middle East and “no one should underestimate the job she did in the Persian Gulf protecting Iraq’s offshore export oil terminals from the threat of terrorism”.

“Parramatta was stationed in the North Persian Gulf for six-months from November 05 to April 06, during which time she played a key role monitoring, intercepting and boarding vessels suspected of illegally trafficking cargo,” Dr Nelson said.

RADM Thomas said: “Parramatta’s performance in the Persian Gulf was second to none and the ship’s company, through their professionalism, set a new benchmark for the Navy.”

CMDR Mead said the security plan implemented by Parramatta for the North Persian Gulf has had a significant effect on piracy and transnational crime in the region.

“During her deployment Parramatta conducted 186 boardings and security patrols, 1,111 boat evolutions, 330 flying hours in its embarked Navy Seahawk helicopter and 653 investigative queries of merchant vessels,” he said.

CMDR Mead acknowledged the hard work and personnel sacrifices of his crew to get the job done, which meant time away from family and friends.

Defence Minister Nelson also noted the personal sacrifices of the crew, and used this as an opportunity to present CMDR Mead with an AFL football signed by the Sydney Swans.

“I know that Parramatta is linked to the Parramatta Eels rugby league team but I want to give this AFL footy signed by the Swans to CMDR Mead because one of the things he missed during the deployment was Sydney’s triumph in the grand final,” he said.

CMDR Mead thanked Dr Nelson but paused to reflect on the sacrifices of the entire crew who were away from their loved ones for six months.

“Email and mobile phones on the ship helped defeat the tyranny of distance and keep sailors in touch with their families,” he said.

Parramatta departed Sydney for the Persian Gulf on October 10, 2005 and took over duties from HMAS Newcastle. Parramatta was replaced in the region by the Anzac Class frigate HMAS Ballarat (CMDR M.K. Wise).

Ballarat’s deployment marks the 13th rotation of RAN ships to the Middle East since September 2001 and the 23rd since 1990. Several rotations have included more than one ship and the RAN has now conducted 35 separate deployments in support of ongoing operations in the region.

In a nutshell

• HMAS Parramatta left FBE in Nov 05 for her first deployment to the Gulf.


• The ship conducted 186 boardings and security patrols, 1,111 boat evolutions, 330 flying hours in its embarked Seahawk and 653 investigative queries of merchant vessels.


• The ship was welcomed home by more than 500 family and friends.

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